How does the shot clock work in lacrosse sixes?
I · Intermediate · The game · 1 of 7A team has 30 seconds from gaining the ball to take a shot on goal. If the clock runs out first, the ball goes to the defending team. The clock goes back to 30 when a shot hits the goal frame or rebounds off the goalkeeper in the crease, and whenever possession changes.
How it works
- Thirty seconds: "Upon a team gaining possession of the ball, there shall be a 30 second shot-clock."
- Expiry: without a shot on goal, the ball is awarded to the defensive team.
- A valid shot: thrown from the stick at the goal with intent to score, with the head of the stick above the goal line extended.
- In time: the ball must leave the stick before the clock expires.
- Reset on a shot: when it hits the goal pipes or rebounds off the goalkeeper standing in the crease.
- Reset on possession: a change of possession, a goal, a draw and the restart after a time penalty.
- Reset on a foul: a loose-ball foul by the defence, if the offended team gets the ball.
- No reset: a shot from behind the goal line extended, a timeout or a ball off a defender outside the crease.
- Stopped: while the ball is out of bounds.
- Only on a signal: the clock is reset when an official signals it.
- Two clocks: one behind each end line, visible to players and officials.
The glossary has the shot clock, the shot on goal, the goal line extended, possession, the restart and the goalkeeper.
Tricky cases
A shot hits the post and the attacking team picks up the rebound. How long does it have?
A fresh 30 seconds. A shot that hits the goal pipe resets the clock.
A player behind the goal flicks the ball at the goalkeeper's back and collects it. Reset?
No. The head of the stick must be above the goal line extended when the ball is released for it to count as a shot.
The ball leaves the shooter's stick a moment before the buzzer and goes in a moment after. Goal?
Yes. What matters is that the ball was released before the shot clock expired.
A shot is blocked by a defender standing outside the crease and the attackers recover it. Reset?
No. The clock does not reset when the ball hits a defensive player outside the goal crease.
Why the rule exists
Without a clock, a team in front could keep the ball away from its opponents for as long as it liked. Thirty seconds forces an attack every time, and with a field this small it produces a shot roughly every half-minute, which is the pace the format was designed for.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shot off the pipes or the goalkeeper in the crease | Reset to 30 | WL Sixes Rule 5.3.1 |
| Shot from behind the goal line extended | No reset | WL Sixes Rule 5.3.1 |
| Ball out of bounds | Shot clock stops | WL Sixes Rule 5.3.2 |
| Clock fails to reset within five seconds | Officials stop play and correct it | WL Sixes Rule 5.3.3 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2026-2028 Sixes Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (version 2.0, May 2026), Rules 1.4.3, 4.2.4, 5.3 and 6.6.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Sixes Rule Book 2026-2028 (PDF).